[Excerpt]
[A] new coalition of neighborhoods, churches and others formed Communities Organized for Public Service, or COPS, in 1974....
“That was the perfect storm that planted the seed that allowed COPS to flourish,” said Father Mike DeGerolami, also a leader for COPS/Metro Alliance.
...Garza said needed projects and improvements only proceeded after the community demanded that a piece of the city budget be spent on the West Side.
Struggle, Determination Mark History of Westwood Square, KSAT [pdf]